The update you've all been waiting for...

So I'm at the midpoint through week 2. I started EMT-B (Basic) training on Tuesday. We also started working out on Tuesday. But let me get you caught up to this point first...

The first day we showed up at the Massey Building in Fairfax City. We (my class) were led into a room where we had assigned spots around a U-shaped table. Throughout the morning we listened to presentations by various members, of various ranks, from the department. We were then given our gear, and changed into our uniforms for the first time. It felt good to be back in uniform again. It comes with a sense of belonging that is hard to find outside of military/paramilitary organizations, and it feels good to be back. The rest of the day was filled with shots, pictures, and a little bit of waiting...

The next day (Tuesday the 6th) was our first at the academy. It is a little overwhelming to go into a situation where everything is new, and you know that you are the low man on the totem pole. The rest of the week was pretty straight forward. It consisted of lectures on department policy, how to act, where to go, where everything is, what's expected of us and so one and so forth. It was a lot of information crammed into a little time, but I'm so glad to be there, I was soaking up every minute of it. :)

Our second week (week of March 12) started off with a half day of lecture about exercise and nutrition, with the afternoon being filled up with a practical lesson in working out. Tuesday morning was our first run and morning workout. After a few laps around the academy grounds, we circled up for some calisthenics. It was a good workout. I am looking forward to the shape I know I will be in when I get out of the academy, because it is a shape I haven't seen in a while. ;)

Tuesday was also the start of our EMT training. In addition to being a firefighter, we're all trained as Emergency Medical Technicians. It's a full college semester of classes crammed into five weeks. We had some anatomy and physiology, as well as learning the history of the Emergency Medical Service. Today was lectures about the airway. Tomorrow is CPR.

On that note, I'm going to sign off, grab some chow, and hit the books. I hope this gave you a glimpse into what is going on in my life. Check back often for more updates.

-Karl